ABC audio current affairs flagship PM marks 50 years

Share

Friday 5 July

A special episode of the ABC’s PM on Monday (8 July) will feature content celebrating its 50th anniversary, including some of the voices from the program across the ages.

One of the most influential current affairs programs in Australia’s media landscape, PM was launched on 7 July 1969, about two years after its older sibling AM. The program names were the brainchild of ABC General Manager Talbot Duckmanton.

PM’s first presenters were Lawrence Bryant and John Highfield, who hosted on alternate nights. Many distinguished names have worked on the show, including presenters Iain Finlay, Paul Murphy, Monica Attard, Ellen Fanning and Mark Colvin – who hosted from 1997 to 2017 – and reporters Ray Martin, Bob Carr, Kate Baillieu, Maxine McKew, and many more. Initially 25 minutes long, PM was expanded to 50 minutes in 1987, before resuming the half-hour format in 2018, matching AM.

Today the program is as strong as ever under presenter Linda Motttram.

Says ABC senior researcher John Spence: “PM has been required listening for all politicians who wanted to know what was going on in Australia or overseas. Even crime writer Peter Corris’s fictional detective Cliff Hardy listened.”

PM can be heard each weekday on ABC RN at 5.00pm and ABC Local Radio networks at 6.30pm. Daily episodes and individual segments are also available on the website and podcast on iTunes. Find all content on the ABC listen app.

First PM presenters Lawrence Bryant and John Highfield with producer Tim Bowden

The ABC has grown remarkably since it launched on 1 July 1932. This is a snapshot of our achievements, programs and personalities and celebrates the ABC's contribution to Australian life for more than 80 years.